List of White Star Line ships by Era

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The White Star Line was a prominent shipping company that operated from the 1840s to the 1930s. Its fleet consisted of many iconic ships that played a significant role in maritime history.

The company's early ships, such as the SS Great Western and the SS Great Britain, were designed for transatlantic travel and set the standard for future vessels. These ships were built with advanced technology for their time and offered improved comfort and safety for passengers.

The White Star Line's ships were known for their speed and luxury, with some vessels reaching speeds of over 20 knots. This was a significant achievement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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White Star Line Ship Eras

The White Star Line operated from 1846 to 1869, with a diverse fleet of ships serving various routes. The company's early years were marked by a mix of sail and steam power.

Some notable ships from this era include the Elizabeth, which served from 1846 to an unknown year, and the Iowa, which was sold in 1853 after a short stint with the White Star Line. The Elizabeth was a brig that sailed from Liverpool to Montreal, while the Iowa was a smaller ship that went missing in 1854 en route to Australia.

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The White Star Line's fleet grew rapidly during this period, with ships like the Tantivy and the Annie Wilson serving from 1852 to 1868 and 1857 to an unknown year, respectively. The Tantivy was a 1040-ton ship that remained in service for over a decade, while the Annie Wilson was a 1191-ton ship that was eventually abandoned in 1867.

1846–1869

The White Star Line's early days were marked by a series of ships that set sail between 1846 and 1869. The Elizabeth, built in 1842, was the first to join the White Star service in 1846, but it's unclear when it left the service.

The company's fleet grew rapidly during this period, with new ships being added every year. The David Cannon, launched in 1847, served the White Star from 1852 to 1854, but unfortunately, it was wrecked in June 1854 at Halifax.

One of the most notable ships of this era was the Tayleur, launched in 1853 by William Rennie of Liverpool. It ran aground on Lambay Island on its maiden voyage in 1854, but the exact date is not specified in the records.

The iconic Queen Mary ocean liner docked at Long Beach, CA, with a scenic pier view.
Credit: pexels.com, The iconic Queen Mary ocean liner docked at Long Beach, CA, with a scenic pier view.

Here's a list of some of the ships that served the White Star Line during this period:

The White Star Line's early days were marked by a series of ships that faced various challenges, including wrecks and missing ships. The company's fleet continued to grow, with new ships being added every year, but the exact dates and details of some of these ships are unclear.

1890-1899

The 1890s was a pivotal decade for the White Star Line, with a flurry of new ship launches that would shape the company's future. The Majestic, built in 1890, entered service the same year and remained a part of the fleet until 1914.

One of the smallest ships of this era was the Magnetic, a tender built in 1891 that served until 1932. The Magnetic was a tiny vessel compared to some of the other ships of its time.

The Tauric and Nomadic were both launched in 1891, with the Tauric serving until 1929 and the Nomadic until 1903. These two ships were among the first of many vessels to join the White Star Line's growing fleet.

Credit: youtube.com, White Star Line Ships 1890 - 1899

The Naronic, built in 1892, vanished at sea sometime after February 11, 1893, leaving behind only speculation about its fate. This tragedy was a stark reminder of the risks faced by sailors and passengers alike.

The Bovic, also launched in 1892, served until 1922 and was a sister ship to the Naronic. The Gothic, built in 1893, was a larger vessel that served until 1906.

The Cevic and Pontic were both launched in 1894, with the Cevic serving until 1914 and the Pontic until 1930. These two ships were among the many tenders and cargo vessels that played a crucial role in the White Star Line's operations.

The Georgic, built in 1895, was a large vessel that served until 1916 when it was scuttled by the SMS Möwe. The Delphic, launched in 1897, met a similar fate when it was torpedoed and sunk by UC-72 in 1917.

The Cymric, Afric, Medic, Persic, and Oceanic were all launched in the late 1890s, with the Cymric serving until 1916, the Afric until 1917, the Medic until 1921, the Persic until 1935, and the Oceanic until 1914.

A different take: Rms Oceanic 1899

1900-1909

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The early 1900s was a busy time for the White Star Line, with several ships being built and entering service between 1900 and 1909.

The Runic, built in 1900, was one of the first ships to join the White Star fleet during this period, serving from 1900 to 1930.

The Suevic, also built in 1900, followed closely behind, serving from 1900 to 1928.

A notable ship from this era is the Celtic, which was built in 1901 and served from 1901 to 1928.

The Celtic was a larger ship, with a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 21,035.

The Athenic, built in 1902, served from 1902 to 1928, with a GRT of 12,345.

The Corinthic, built in 1902, served from 1902 to 1931, with a GRT of 12,367.

The Ionic, built in 1903, served from 1903 to 1934, with a GRT of 12,352.

The Cedric, built in 1903, served from 1903 to 1931, with a GRT of 21,073.

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Some ships from this era were actually built earlier but joined the White Star fleet in the early 1900s, such as the Victorian, built in 1895, which served from 1903 to 1904.

The Armenian, also built in 1895, served from 1903 to 1915.

Here's a list of some of the ships that entered service between 1900 and 1909:

The Baltic, built in 1904, served from 1904 to 1933, with a GRT of 23,876.

The Gallic, built in 1894, served from 1907 to 1913, with a GRT of 12,352.

The Adriatic, built in 1907, served from 1907 to 1935, with a GRT of 24,541.

The Laurentic, built in 1908, served from 1908 to 1917, with a GRT of 14,892.

The Megantic, built in 1909, served from 1909 to 1933, with a GRT of 14,878.

1910–1919

The 1910-1919 era was a transformative time for the White Star Line. The company built several new ships during this period, including the Zealandic, Nomadic, and Olympic. These vessels played a significant role in the company's history.

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The Zealandic was built in 1911 and served the White Star Line from 1911 to 1926. It had a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 8,090 tons.

The Nomadic, also built in 1911, was a tender that served the White Star Line from 1911 to 1925. It's worth noting that the Nomadic is the only remaining White Star Line vessel still in existence today.

The Olympic, built in 1911, was a massive ship that served the White Star Line from 1911 to 1935. It earned the nickname "Old Reliable" due to its reliability and durability.

Here's a brief summary of the ships built and served during this era:

The Titanic, built in 1912, tragically sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg. The Ceramic, also built in 1912, served the White Star Line from 1913 to 1934.

1920–1932

The White Star Line's Golden Age was a time of grandeur and innovation, spanning from 1920 to 1932. This period saw the introduction of the iconic Olympic-class ships, including Olympic, Britannic, and Titanic's sister ship, Olympic's design was a significant improvement over Titanic's, with a more efficient and stable hull.

Credit: youtube.com, White Star Line Ships - 1920 - 1932

The Olympic-class ships set new standards for luxury and comfort, with elaborate dining rooms, promenade decks, and even a dog kennel for first-class passengers. The White Star Line's focus on comfort and amenities helped to establish its reputation as a premier shipping line.

The 1920s also saw the introduction of the RMS Majestic, a former German ship that was seized by the British after World War I and refurbished by the White Star Line. The Majestic was a significant addition to the White Star Line's fleet, offering a more affordable option for second-class passengers.

Despite the challenges of the post-war era, the White Star Line continued to innovate and expand its operations, laying the groundwork for the next era of its history.

If this caught your attention, see: Rms Majestic 1914

Shipwrecks

The White Star Line had its fair share of shipwrecks. The RMS Republic was one of them, running aground off New York in 1909.

The SS Central America was another notable shipwreck, lost in a hurricane in 1857. It was carrying a large amount of gold, which has never been recovered.

Credit: youtube.com, The Evolution of the White Star Line Fleet

The SS Republic was a passenger ship that sank off the coast of South Carolina in 1909. Only 76 people lost their lives, which was relatively low considering the number of passengers on board.

The SS Laurentic was a ship that sank in 1917, but it's worth noting that it was not a passenger ship, it was a cargo ship.

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Notable Ships

The White Star Line had its fair share of iconic ships that left an indelible mark on maritime history. The RMS Olympic, the largest ship built at the time, was a behemoth of the seas, measuring over 902 feet in length.

The RMS Titanic, although infamous for its tragic fate, was a marvel of engineering and luxury, boasting 16 watertight compartments and a top speed of over 21 knots. It was also equipped with some of the most advanced safety features of its time.

The RMS Adriatic, on the other hand, was a popular passenger liner that set numerous speed records during its career, including a 1907 record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic.

Oceanic (I)

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The Oceanic (I) was built as one of the finest ships on the North Atlantic of her time. She was the first steamship of the White Star Line.

The Oceanic was a remarkable vessel, and her history is a testament to the advancements in maritime technology during the late 19th century. She was built to be a champion of the seas, and her construction reflected the highest standards of the time.

The Oceanic's career spanned over 25 years, a remarkable feat for a ship of her era. She was a true pioneer, paving the way for future generations of steamships.

Germanic

The Germanic was a rare speed queen of the White Star Line. It had an unusually long career, spanning from 1875 to 1950.

This ship was also known as Ottawa, Gul Djemal, and Gulcemal. It's remarkable that it survived two world wars.

White Star Line's Largest Ships

The White Star Line was known for its impressive fleet of ships, and at the top of the list were its ten largest vessels. The largest ship in the White Star Line's fleet was the Majestic, which had a gross tonnage of 56,551.

Credit: youtube.com, WHITE STAR LINE Fleet Length Comparison (3D)

The Majestic was built in 1922 and was a significant addition to the White Star Line's fleet. One of the notable ships in the White Star Line's fleet was the Titanic, which had a gross tonnage of 46,328.

The Titanic was one of the most famous ships in the White Star Line's fleet, but it wasn't the only large ship. The Olympic, built in 1911, had a gross tonnage of 45,324 and was another notable vessel in the fleet.

Here's a list of the White Star Line's ten largest ships, along with their gross tonnages:

  1. Majestic (1922) – 56,551 gross tons
  2. Britannic (1915) – 48,158 gross tons
  3. Titanic – 46,328 gross tons
  4. Olympic (1911) – 45,324 gross tons
  5. Homeric – 34,351 gross tons
  6. Justicia – 32,234 gross tons
  7. Georgic (1932) – 27,759 gross tons
  8. Britannic (1930) – 26,943 gross tons
  9. Belgic (1917) – 24,547 gross tons
  10. Adriatic (1907) – 24,541 gross tons

These ships were the backbone of the White Star Line's fleet and played a significant role in the company's history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many White Star Line ships still exist?

There is only one surviving White Star Line ship, the Nomadic, which is being restored. This historic ship is a rare reminder of the company's rich maritime past.

What is the only White Star Line ship left?

The only surviving vessel of the White Star Line is Nomadic, currently under restoration in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She remains a historic gem from the iconic shipping company.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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